It Only Comes Once a Year

July 23rd -
Hannah, Josiah, and myself took the long ride out to Dallas, Ga.
We were greeted by this . . .

Yes, it was my birthday

and this . . .

Western Red Cedar garden bench

and my smiling mom. A note attached said, "From Dad". Inside the house was this . . .

Glass garden tower

The note said, "From Mom".

What makes these gifts so special is that they were made by the same hands that lovingly cared for me, that worked to feed me, that labored to shelter me, that were clasped in prayer for me, that held me and guided me. The hands that I looked to imitate as I sought my own way on life's road. Such precious gifts of life and creativity.

"And pick one more," my mom said.

So I picked one more glass tower for the garden. ". . . because you need one that has a light in it," she told me. Those hands that didn't let me leave home without first giving me The Light of the World, continue to give and give and give.

Back home in my own little garden, I remember them and feel the glow of love in my heart.

There is nothing like a parent's love especially on your birthday.

Monday Thanks

22. mothers

me and mom

23. sisters

my sister and mom, often mistaken for sisters

24. little girl enthusiasm

my great neice learning with her new toy

25. new books

Rome to the Reformation, next year's curriculum



Saturday Night Game Night - Josiah's Pick

Wouldn't you know it would be a war game?

 We had to work as teams. Me and Josiah against Theron and Hannah. There was no way of seeing the other teams game board, because we were in seperate rooms, communicating via intercom system.

 It got pretty lively, with sound effects of booming and splashing water and gurgling of sinking ships.

This was our first time playing as a family, and I think it was a good choice for Josiah. He learned how to read a graph pretty quickly. Our team did not win, but we fought well. I mean played well.
Very clever, Theron, thinking of using the intercom.

Saturday Night Game Night -Hannah's Pick

Our family is pretty predictable. I knew Theron would choose Risk and I knew what I would choose (of course) and I kenw what Hannah would choose. I predict that Josiah will need help choosing, as he is not that accustom to board games. He will want to choose a Wii game, which is not what we're looking for here.
Without further ado, here is Hannah's favorite game. . .

Clue

character of choice - Miss Scarlet

Mrs. Peacock all blurry

Josiah and I played as a team, so I could help him. Hannah was very close to solving the mystery, but Daddy beat her to it! We had alot of fun and laughter.
Oh and we actually played on Friday night instead, since I was in charge of a Father/Daughter dinner on Saturday night. Post coming soon.

A Winter Smilebox

This photo album generated with Smilebox

Grandma and Grandpa Rose

Alot of prayers have gone up for Theron's parents. God has been gracious and has allowed us to see many of them answered. On September 8, 2010, Grandpa was hospitalized with a punctured lung and several broken ribs (although we were initially told there were no broken bones) after a fall several days before. This is one tough man!

He started out in one hospital and was trnnsferred to another and then another after his condition worsened. Finally on October 8, 2010 he was moved from Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN to Parkwood Nursing/Rehab facility in Snellville.

The biggest blessing and answer to prayer is that he is better and that he is close. Maybe it's a bigger blessing that we can get Grandma and Grandpa together again - visiting at least once and sometimes twice a day. No more 3 hours drives for Grandma and only visiting every other day.

Thank you, LORD!

Parrot Mountain and Forbidden Caverns Trip

Friday and Saturday, we took a trip up to Tennesse. We started with a visit to Theron's parents, Ray and Helen Rose in Ducktown and then we drove on to Pigeon Forge. We got to our hotel about 10:00, got a good rest and headed out in the morning to Parrot Mountain. We spent the morning there and had lunch in their gift shop and deli. Then we drove to Forbidden Caverns. We had been listening to Jonathon Parks Volume 2, Bone of Contention, where they have adventures in a cave, so it tied right in. Hope you enjoy the slideshow. It's pretty long because we took alot of pictures.

This picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Double Birthday with Family

Today, some of our family came over to celebrate Hannah and Josiah's birthdays. We had Sante Fe soup and chips, and cake and ice cream, of course.


Josiah looks like the "protective big brother" here with his second cousin, Allie. She is such a cuddler!


Look at her leaning on Theron while Josiah "reads" his birthday card. So cute!

I think Josiah's favorite gift today was the Lightening McQueen remote control car from Aunt Leah and Uncle Robert. He has played with it all day.

Hannah adored this FurReal baby panda from cousin Valerie and Jesse, Mai, and Allie. It moves and makes sounds as if it's real. Good practice for her becoming a veteranarian, she says (or maybe a mom?).

Here's the cake!


And here. . .

but look again.

Yes, it's a reversible cake.

On one side it had a "9" for Hannah

and on the other it has a "6" for Josiah.

(He won't officially be six until March 12th)

Thanksgiving 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We took the week off from schoolwork and visited with family over the Thanksgiving holiday. The kids enjoy seeing their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We get to take a break from the norm and sit around working jigsaw puzzles or taking walks outside or just watching the kids play.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too.

End of Summer?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

These pictures were taken on a trip I took with the kids to visit my parents in Dallas, GA and celebrate my brother, Wesley's birthday and my sister, Leah's birthday in her newly renovated basement.